Samsung completes development of 8-nano process

SEOUL, Oct. 18 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. said Wednesday it has completed the development of the 8-nanometer chip processing technology, moving closer to its commercialization.

The South Korean tech giant said the new process improved energy efficiency by 10 percent compared to the second-generation 10-nanometer chips, along with a 10 percent area reduction. A smaller number in the process indicates improved efficiency.

Samsung said the process is optimized for the high-end chips needed for mobiles, networks and servers, as well as for mining virtual currencies.

Samsung kicked off the mass production of chips based on its 10-nanometer technology for the first time throughout the industry in October 2016.

The company added that it continues to work closely with U.S. firm Qualcomm in the development of production technologies.

Qualcomm said Samsung's 8-nanometer technology is based on the verified 10-nanometer technology, and the new process is anticipated to be strongly competitive in terms of performance and size.